Marie Tekla Antonsen, 93

Marie Tekla Antonsen passed away at Lake View Care Center in Bigfork on Aug. 30, 2008, at the age of 93 of natural causes.

Marie was born in Denmark on Aug. 14, 1915, and came to the United States in 1952, settling in Altadena, Calif. Marie spent her early years in Denmark as a chef and continued throughout her life cooking Scandinavian food to everyone's delight.

Her most endearing quality was her ability to laugh and bring joy to all who knew her. She moved to Bigfork in 1996 from Truckee, Calif., and truly loved Montana.

She is survived by her husband, Mogens of Kalispell; daughter Jytte Hartwell and husband, Dan, of Bigfork; son John Antonsen and wife, Elenie, of Carson City, Nev.; grandson Michael Hartwell and wife, Chris, of Reno, Nev.; grandson Erik Hartwell and wife, Audrey, of Denver, Colo.; and two loving great-grandchildren, Shawn and Alyssa Hartwell of Reno.

A graveside service will be held at the Bigfork Community Cemetery on Wednesday, Sept. 3, at 3 p.m.